Switching device



July 17, 1923. msmw E. O. SCRIVEN SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 27. 1921 ,Patented July 17, 1923.

UNITED STATES'PATENT, OFFICE.

EDWARD O. SCRIVEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.. ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COM' PANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

a citizen of the United States, residing at New York. in the county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switching Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to switching 'devices and particularly to multi-contact switches.

An object of the invention is to provide a multi-contact switch which is compact in structureand simple to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a multi-con-' tact switch with a balanced detent, or registering device, thus precluding the introduction of stresses usually attending the use of such devices. i

Another object is to provide a detent device which will permit a close arrangement of the terminals in a multi-contact switch.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

In general, the invention comprises a plurality of stationary contacts in circular arrangement, and a radial contact arm mounted on a rotatable shaft for engaging the fixed contacts. Fixed to the shaft is a disc shaped member having recesses therein, half of the recesses being on one side of the disc and the other half on the other, and alternately arranged with respect to each other, and means associated with said disc adapted to engage the alternate recesses upon rotation of the switch.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a view of the switch in cross-section. Fig. 2 is a bottom view.

The bearing 3 supports at one end a terminal plate 4, which is secured thereto by clamping ring 5 and a number of screws 6. The other end of bearing 3 carries'a similar terminal plate 7 secured thereto by screws 8. On plate 4 is a plurality of terminals 9 spaced equidistant in circular arrangement and on plate 7 is a like number of similar terminals 10 similarly disposed. Stretched between terminals 9 and 10 is a continuous resistance wire 37 ,for which the terminals 10 serve as'tap contacts and terminals 9 as supports. Obviously, resistances in any other form may be connected to terminals 10, and plate 4 with its terminals may be omitted. Also condensers, inductances, or any combination of condensers,

Application filed December 27, 1921. Serial No. 524,993.

inductances' and resistances may be connected between adjacent terminals -10 on plate 7.

Bearing 3 supports a rotatable shaft 11, mounted on one end of which is contact arm 12 in operative relation to the terminals 10. Also fixed to the end of shaft 11 and rotatable therewith is a composite disc member composed of discs 13 and 14, which are provided with a series of holes 15 and 16, respectively. near their peripheries. The

number of holes in each disc is equal to oneto engage holes 15 and 16 of discs 13 and 14 alternately- With a double detent device of this character, closer arrangement of the terminal contacts is permitted, resulting in a more compact switch than is possible with single detent devices; also by oppositely disposing the detent devices they balance each other and, therefore, do not produce any strains or binding between the rotating members; also it assures uniform contact pressure between thecontact arm and each of the terminals.

The assembly described above may be mountedin the usual manner on a mounting plate 24, provided with an opening therein through which shaft 11 projects. The usual handle or knob 25 is secured to the end of the shaft for operating the switch and carries the dial 26, which may he graduated in the desired units. An indicator 27 is secured to the mounting 24 to facilitate the reading rality of contact terminals, a contact armfor engaging said contact terminals, means for yieldably holding the contact arm in engagement with alternate terminals, and similar means for yieldably holding the contact arm in engagement with the other terminals, said first. and second means adapted tocounterbalance each other.

3. A switching device, a plurality of contact terminals annularly arranged, a radial contact arm for engaging said terminals, and means for yieldably holding the contact arm in contact with the terminals, said means comprising a rotating member having recesses in each side thereof and balls on each side of said member adapted to engage.

the recesses therein.

4. A switching device, a plurality of con- 1 tacts annularly arranged, a shaft perpendicular to the plane of said contacts, a radial contact arm supported on the end of said shaft, and two detent devices alternately registering for successive engagements of the contact arm with the contact terminals.

5. A switching device comprising a plumy name this th day of December rality of contacts annularly arranged, a

shaft perpendicular to the plane of said contacts, means for rotating said shaft, on one end thereof, a radial contact arm supported 0n the other end of the shaft, and two detent devices oppositely disposed in balanced relation for securing the contact arm in contact with the'various contacts.

"6. A switching device comprising a terminal plate. a shaft rotatably supported therein, a plurality of contacts annularly disposed on said plate, a contact arm secured to said shaft and adapted to successively engage said contacts, a recessed disc having alternately spaced recesses on each side thereof, and a double detent device adapted to engage each set of recesses upon. successive engagement of the contact arm with the contacts.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe A. D., 1921.

EDWAlRD 0. SCRIVEN. 

